Ruling Authorities?
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Mighty Fortresses | By Eric Mitchell • Jesus and the Pharisees | By Lynn Traylor BIBLICAL ILLUSTRATOR BIBLICAL VOLUME 47 NUMBER 2 / winter 2020-21 RULING AUTHORITIES AUTHORITIES RULING Who Were the Ruling Authorities? By Timothy Boyd I FORTRESSES FORTRESSES I JESUS AND PHARISEES JESUS AND PHARISEES WINTER 2020-21 Not only have I stood in line behind good and godly men who have edited this magazine, from the team I have had the privilege of working beside two of the finest men that I have ever known—Tim Lynch, who has served as the magazine's pro- ALWAYS LIKE BEING duction editor since 2009, and Brent Bruce, in the short line. who has been the graphic designer on the mag- I Whether at the bank or azine since 1992. Each of these guy’s knowledge grocery store, I look for the of Scripture and passion for history has helped shortest line, thinking that Biblical Illustrator maintain the excellence you it’s going to be the fastest. have come to expect from the magazine. This As you know, it does not being the magazine's last editorial, I have asked always work out that way, though, does it? them each to say a word. Since 2003, I have had the privilege of being in a short line, the line of men who have From Brent Bruce: served as editors of Biblical Illustrator. In its To all the loyal readers of forty-seven-plus years of production, only five Biblical Illustrator, I want have served in this role. These are the men who to say thank you. For served before me. twenty-eight years, you have allowed me to work Nobel Brown 1974-1975 on a publication I've been William Stephens 1975-1985 passionate about. It has Michael Mitchell 1985-1991 been my joy to interpret James McLemore 1992-2003 God’s Word visually through design, photog- raphy, and illustration. My prayer is that the Early this year, we began hearing about the articles will continue to serve God’s people and COVID-19 virus. My initial thought was, “This is give greater depth to biblical knowledge for not going to be a big deal.” I could not have been years to come. more wrong! Indeed the coronavirus mush- I also want to thank our writers. Without roomed into a world-wide threat and epidemic. you, there would have never been a Biblical As people got sick, quarantined, and lost their Illustrator. You have ministered to thousands jobs and as churches and Bible study groups upon thousands through your biblical scholar- met online, offerings suffered. Churches were ship for almost forty-eight years. Only eternity forced to make serious and dramatic changes will reveal the impact you have made for the to the way they ministered. Church budgets kingdom. And thank you for ministering to me. were cut, which affected curriculum orders. I can’t begin to express the impact you have had This caused LifeWay to have to make serous and on my depth of understanding and my spiritual dramatic changes to the we way serve churches, growth. Some of you I have gotten to know very including the products we can offer. well. Others I have known only through your The sad news is that Biblical Illustrator is writing. All of you I will greatly miss. having to go away. Indeed you are holding in And to my two team members, thank you for your hand the last issue of the magazine—news allowing me to walk this road with you. I will which breaks my heart and the hearts of those always treasure the journey we've had together who had to make this difficult decision. and the friendship we'll have forever. From Tim Lynch: G. B. Howell, Jr. Content Editor I have spent about 23 years of my life at LifeWay, Dwayne McCrary Team Leader and over 10 of those work- ing on Biblical Illustrator. Ken Braddy Director of Sunday School These years have been a Brandon Hiltibidal great blessing from God. Director, Group Ministry During this time, God has Send questions/comments to Team Leader gifted me with many of by email to: [email protected] the best friends I have had in my life, two of by mail to: Team Leader, Biblical Illustrator, whom I have worked with on Biblical Illustrator. One LifeWay Plaza, Nashville, TN 37234-0175 Or make comments on the Web at lifeway.com I have been blessed by GB’s and Brent’s friend- ship in ways I could never have imagined. I am Biblical Illustrator (ISSN 0195-1351, Item 005075109) is published quar- and always will be thankful for them and how terly by LifeWay Christian Resources, One LifeWay Plaza, Nashville, TN 37234, Ben Mandrell, President. © 2020 LifeWay Christian Resources. they have greatly enriched my life. Biblical Illustrator is designed to support the Bible study sessions in the student and adult Bible Studies for Life, the Explore the Bible, and Biblical Illustrator magazine has also been The Gospel Project curriculum series. Bible background articles and ac- companying illustrative material are based on the passages studied in a great gift from God, as I’m sure many of you these curriculum series. We believe that the Bible has God for its author; salvation for its end; would agree. As with any job, some days have and truth, without any mixture of error, for its matter and that all Scrip- ture is totally true and trustworthy. To review LifeWay’s doctrinal guide- been harder than others, but I have never once line, please visit lifeway.com/doctrinalguideline. Scripture quotations marked CSB® are taken from the Christian regretted working on this great magazine with Standard Bible®, Copyright 2020 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. so many great people. Thank you to all those Scripture quotations marked (ESV®) are from the English Standard Version® (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright 2001 winter 2020-21 winter who have had a hand over the years in produc- by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. ing the magazine, all with the same purpose—to Scripture quotations marked HCSB are taken from the Holman Chris- tian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by 3 glorify God and help the people of His church in Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Holman Christian Stan- dard Bible®, Holman CSB®, and HCSB® are federally registered trade- their journeys through this life. marks of Holman Bible Publishers. Scripture quotations marked (NASB) are from the New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. (www.lockman.org) As editor, let me say how much I appreciate Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are from the Holy Bible, New In- ternational Version®, NIV®. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, our writers, who have enthusiastically taken Inc.® Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The “NIV” and “New International Version” are writing assignments, have researched, and have trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office written on such a broad range of topics. Their by Biblica, Inc.® BIBLICAL ILLUSTRATOR BIBLICAL commitment to scholarship has shined on every Printed in the United States of America 1105 page and in every issue. Working with them has been such a blessing. I am privileged to know them not only as writers, but as friends. Finally, let me say that it has been my honor and privilege to serve you, our readers. I trust the magazine has helped deepen your understand- ing of Scripture and your love for our Lord. Let me encourage you to continue your pursuit of About the Cover: gaining an ever-deeper understanding of the Caesar Augustus crowned with an people, places, customs, and history of the Bible. oak wreath; 1st May the Father continue to bless you in cent. AD; found this endeavor! at Herculaneum. Augustus was Rome's first emperor (27 BC– AD 14). ILLUSTRATOR PHOTO/ BRENT BRUCE/ NAPLES ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM/ NAPLES, ITALY (173/B/1830) WINTER 2020–21 CONTENTS VOLUME 47 NUMBER 2 DEPARTMENTS 2 Editorial InSites (between pages 66-67) Herod the Great Psalms: Its Structure and Design 98 Past Articles BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE winter 2020-21 winter 94 Death and Sheol: A Hebrew Understanding by Robert C. Dunston 4 December 6 // Session 1 22 Armed for Battle: Personal Weaponry in David's Day by Kevin C. Peacock December 13 // Session 2 10 Bethlehem: Its Significance Up to the Time of Jesus' Birth BIBLICAL ILLUSTRATOR BIBLICAL by Bryan E. Beyer December 20 // Session 3 67 Mighty Fortresses by Eric A. Mitchell January 10 // Session 6 InSites: Psalms: Its Structure and Design January 10 // Session 6 33 In the Latter Days: A First-Century Understanding by Gary Hardin January 24 // Session 1 40 A Sojourner in the Land THE GOSPEL PROJECT by Duane A. Garrett January 31 // Session 2 78 Peter's Role in the Early Church by Rex D. Butler 54 Darius, King of the Chaldeans December 6 // Session 1 by T. J. Betts February 14 // Session 4 76 QuickBites: Where Did the Early Church Meet? 82 The Body: A New Testament Understanding December 13 // Session 2 by Cecil R. Taylor February 21 // Session 5 58 Bondslaves of God by Michael Priest December 27 // Session 3 EXPLORE THE BIBLE 6 Who Were the Ruling Authorities? by Timothy N. Boyd 86 Luke: The Man and His Gospel December 27 // Session 3 by Steve W. Lemke December 6 // Session 1 18 Resurrection in Christian Thought by Warren McWilliams 36 A Virgin Conception—Really? January 10 // Session 5 by Lance T.